Translating my novel into a screenplay - Page 2 - Writers Forum

hellodolly · 05-02-2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AA Institute

With Publish America, one has to sign a separate agreement that is separate to the literary contract, which hands over the movie rights to the book. I have not done that with my contract, so I am sitting pretty waiting for some time on my hands to be able to write a screenplay

Before signing my contract with them, I checked the conditions via e-mails which I hold for the record. The movie rights are mine, not just for this first book on this long and epic adventure voyage... but also for the numerous subsequent books I am hoping to write in this series.

There's been a few good reviews from the few people that have so far read my book, and they all see this as a good bet for future cinema:

AA

Maia is right about the publisher handling the movie rights. Most traditional publisher have an inside to Hollywood and the movies rights are already sold or optioned before the book even comes out (if it looks like a potential hit). As a novelist, you probably wouldn't even get a crack a writing the screenplay . . . they have too many seasoned professionals to do that and do it better than a first time writer. Even if you did write the screenplay and had the good fortune to sell it (first time out) most likely it would be re-written by a seasoned professional before it would ever get to the preproduction stage. You might get a "story by" credit.

If you are serious about writing any screenplays, you need to understand that at lest 95% of all screenwriters don't even get any notice until their 5th screenplay (at best). As a novelist and a screenwriter, I can tell you hands down, writing a screenplay is ten times harder than a novel. It's a separate art form which is extremely difficult to master. That's why there are so few good screenwriters and lots of good novelists. If you want to write screenplays, start now so by the time you have your 5th to 10th one done, you might be able to say you can write a screenplay . . . maybe.

writingismyxmusic · 05-29-2006, 09:56 PM

I think you should wait a while until the book becomes popular. Then, look for screenwriters to make a screenplay out of it. That's how it usually works.

mammamaia · 05-30-2006, 09:17 PM

not really... the author doesn't usually 'look for screenwriters'... the publisher [who will most likely control the film rights] generally will be approached by a studio or producer, who then will hire a screenwriter to adapt the novel for them...

AA Institute · 07-19-2006, 03:43 AM

Just to keep people here appraised about the progress of the ark (and my books), Part 2 in this epic 50,000 year long interstellar adventure is called 'The True Price of Immortality' and is due out August 7th!

All the details are on my publisher's website:-

http://www.publishedauthors.net/aa_spaceagent

I am also on the MySpace network, so if you've read my book(s) or generally want to have a chat, come say hello at:-

http://www.myspace.com/aa_spaceagent

My best wishes to everyone here,

Abdul Ahad (from Luton, UK)

mammamaia · 07-19-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

All the details are on my publisher's website:-

http://www.publishedauthors.net/aa_spaceagent

does this publisher pay royalties?... do they put out an actual book, or just post the mss on their site?... i don't see any info on that and would like to know more, as i am always on the lookout for reputable publishers to pass on to those i mentor...

AA Institute · 07-21-2006, 10:40 AM

Yes, they are a reputable publisher who do not charge a cent to publish people and they do pay their authors royalties, depending on how many copies of books have been sold.

Both of my books are available through all the normal distribution channels worldwide, like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc and are orderable in book stores as paperback books. If you wanted to examine the print quality of PublishAmerica books first hand, you are more than welcome to buy one of mines

Sincerely,
Abdul Ahad

K-P · 07-21-2006, 06:31 PM

Riiiight. No reputable publisher sells a paperback for $19.95. None. Not unless Fabio is on the cover.

mammamaia · 07-21-2006, 06:42 PM

sorry, abdul, but PA is somewhat less than 'reputable'... the prices they set for their books keep sales to a minimum... usually just the family and friends of the writer will buy them... which is how PA makes their money... few [if any] other book buyers will order their books from a bookstore, because they won't know they exist...

generally, the only way you'll see them sold in bookstores, is if you buy them from PA and then personally arrange with the store owners to take them...

but i could be wrong... how many copies have each of your books sold so far?... and how many of those were to strangers?